Ten-Tec T1253 Regen SW Radio Kit SSB demonstration

[fenech97]

The Band Switching Board of the Ten-Tec 1253 has solder- pads on bothsides. The components are mounted on both sides. the best way to find the front is to mount the Band -Switch temporarily on the board. Don't solder it, just push it through the four holes. The switch should appear in the small rectangular

hole on the sub- panel. fenech97

.

[NG9D]

@fenech97 Very practical advice! Trial fit-up of sub-assemblies is used frequently in industry and your hint is perfect for building and installing the electronic band switching board in the T1253. The instructions in "phase 5" of the assembly manual are clear when noting the position of the holes in the cabinet for the LED indicators and switch button. The LEDs and switch are on the front, so they can be inserted thru the cabinet holes - the other six parts are on the back of the board. Thanks

[mnpd007]

If anyone builds this kit, AND you have extensive kitbuilding experience, remember to READ the instructions. This is an odd kit. For instance the bandswitch board has a front and a back just like any board.... the screening and component diagrams are on the front, with the solder pads on the back. But, not with Ten-Tec. Because the bandswitch board is mounted ass-first on the front subchassis, Ten-Tec calls the back "FRONT" and front "BACK." I mounted the components in reverse fashion!

[NG9D]

@mnpd007 Good point - I also recommend reading the directions before building. 73, Lynn de NG9D

[NG9D]

@mnpd007 Hi Tom, I also read your (KA4DQJ) product review on eham.net. I am sorry you had a bad experience. I suggest you contact Ten-Tec for replacement parts. You can also write to me directly, however please understand I am just a fellow ham radio operator. I do not work for Ten-Tec. I wish you the very best. 73 Lynn NG9D

[mnpd007]

I ordered it but won't ever hear it play. The Bandswitch board is screened single-side, but TT expects you to mount the componenents on BOTH sides, following a low-res xeroxed copy of the manual. The sides were not even marked "front" and "back". I tried to understand the mess, mounted the parts on both sides as I thought the lousy print and poor images were instructing, then found I had mounted everything backwards and that it wouldn't fit the panel. I threw the entire kit in the garbage.

[NG9D]

@mnpd007 Don't give up on this cool little project! Your error is easily fixed. Just contact Ten-Tec. From my experience, they will replace minor damaged parts at little or no cost. I know this from experience -- but I won't go into that here ;-) 73 de NG9D . .

[fenech97]

I built mine .It works

[higherprofits]

Do you think a preselector and preamp would be of any use with a regen like the 1253? Seams like it would throw off the entire system and require re-adjusting every time the preselector or preamp was adjusted. What do you think? I've only used modern style circuits but want to build one of the TT kits. The 1254 is looking good just because I'm familiar with how it will work!

[NG9D]

I have used an antenna tuner with various antennas to peak the signal. That adjustment is only needed one time on a particular band. After that I tune around within the band and leave the antenna tuner set as-is. Preselectors work in a similar manner. I haven't needed or tried preamps, since the receiver is capable of amplifying weak signals. If used, probably would just need to cut back RF gain on receiver. 73 de NG9D

[wdiabc]

hey what about the antenna you used? is it a long wire or some fancy antennas? i am impressed btw. also, can you tell me where did you get the t1253? i can only find them on tentec website for 100 including shipping.

best regards

[NG9D]

@wdiabc Mulitconductor L-config dipole. Fed at ground level with single coax transmission line . Dipole for each band connected in parallel at feed point. Center conductor soldered to vertically positioned wires, braid soldered to the horizontal insulated wires laid at ground level. Length of each vertical wire in meters is 75*0.95/freq (MHz). Example: for 10.1 MHz, the vertical wire is 75*0.95/10.1=7.05m. Horizontal wire same length. Wires fanned out or use spreader. 1m=3.281ft

[10mjt29]

never tried ssb on 49m before. what was the freq?

[NG9D]

@10mjt29 @wdiabc: This is NY radio 5.55MHz. Fun to hear the aircraft in-bound from Europe calling NY on HF before they are within VHF range.

A purpose built antenna for 5.55MHz: Center conductor of coax soldered to vertically positioned wire. Length of vertical wire 75*0.95/5.55(MHz)=12.83m. 12.83*3.281=42ft. Coax braid soldered to a horizontal insulated wires also 42 ft long laid at ground level, or buried slightly below ground.

Horizontal center fed dipole for 5.55MHz is 84ft OAL.

[Donsshack]

what's the "regen" do?

[NG9D]

Thanks for the question. The regen knob controls the gain for the regenerative detector that demodulates the SSB signal and for AM signals can be used to increase the gain. The amplifier circuit feeds back some of the output which increases the gain. If the feedback is great enough, the amp starts to oscillate and the incoming SSB (or CW) signal mixes with the carrier of the oscillator producing sounds that can be heard on the speaker. Thanks for viewing and 73 DE NG9D